Word
intensification
Phoneticsin·ten·si·fi·ca·tion, stress on the fifth syllable
US/ɪnˌtɛnsəfəˈkeɪʃən/
UK/ɪntˌɛnsɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the process of making something stronger, more severe, or more intense. It describes when a feeling, a sound, or a situation becomes much more powerful.
n. the process of increasing the degree, force, or severity of something. Often refers to the escalation of conflict, the strengthening of a storm, or the deepening of a sensory experience.
Examples
“The intensification of the storm caused heavy damage to the coast.”
“The intensification of trade between the two countries led to a significant increase in economic growth for both.”
“Linguists often study the intensification of adjectives in modern speech, noting how speakers use 'very' or 'extremely' to emphasize points that might otherwise seem mundane.”
Examples
simple
“The intensification of the storm caused heavy damage to the coast.”
contextual
“The intensification of trade between the two countries led to a significant increase in economic growth for both.”
complex
“Linguists often study the intensification of adjectives in modern speech, noting how speakers use 'very' or 'extremely' to emphasize points that might otherwise seem mundane.”
Real-World Examples
“The decline is particularly pronounced for farmland birds, while grassland butterflies continue to face strong pressures from agricultural intensification and land abandonment.” “This constraining effect of atmospheric dryness is potent enough to offset the rainfall increases driven by storm intensification.” Etymology
From intense + -ification.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/intensification